Elevation Adjustments

[Niblick47]

Question for those playing Castle Pines this week: what adjustments are you making for the carry of clubs? Is the driver adjustment different from say the sand wedge? Thanks to any replies.

[Caincalaway]

Great question. With Castle Pines (and other courses with similar elevation), I try not to use blanket rules. You have to go on a shot-by-shot basis. Sometimes, the elevation doesn't affect shorter approach shots, BUT sometimes, it does.

[bbbuckshot1]

The general formula is 1.5% per 1000 feet elevation change - change for all full shots on this course is thus 9% - eg, 100 yard shot is now 91 yards, 200 yard shot is 182 yards.

[Wirenut48]

That's what is unique about this game is that it uses real life physics formulas, Altitude x .00116 = % difference to sea level. So 862' in altitude equates to 1% distance gain.

Applying real physics to spin and wind will have a dynamic effect on distance. The higher spin rate of wedges can be knocked down with a strong tailwind, and baloon up with headwind decreasing distance.

Combine all that together with the hole elevation changes in Castle Pines becomes quite a challenge.